The Humanitarian Diplomacy Initiative was announced on Sunday 7th December at the Qatar Mediation Forum 2025, under the patronage of Her Excellency Dr. Mariam bint Ali bin Nasser Al-Misnad, Minister of State for International Cooperation of the State of Qatar. The initiative is a collaboration between the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS), represented by its President, His Excellency Mr. Yousef bin Ali Al-Khater, and the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies (CCHS), represented by its Director, Dr. Ghassan ElKahlout.
The Initiative forms part of the International Cooperation Sector Strategy under Qatar's Third National Development Strategy (2025–2030). It strengthens Qatar's humanitarian diplomacy by developing specialized analytical tools, expanding professional capacities, and improving coordination in crisis-affected settings. It also underscores the State of Qatar's commitment to establishing a principled and evidence-based approach to humanitarian and diplomatic action.
As part of the Initiative, a Humanitarian Diplomacy Unit will be established within the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies. The Unit will serve as a hub for research, capacity building, and policy support. It will contribute to national efforts to protect civilians, facilitate humanitarian access, and strengthen informed decision-making in complex crises. The Unit will develop analytical and monitoring tools, conduct in-depth research on priority humanitarian issues, build national capacities in humanitarian diplomacy, and help bridge field-level humanitarian practice with academic and policy expertise.
Her Excellency Dr. Mariam Al-Misnad affirmed that "this initiative comes at a time when the international arena needs innovative tools capable of addressing complexity and offering practical solutions based on principles and field realities." She commended "the significant role played by the Qatar Red Crescent Society as one of the most important pillars of humanitarian response in the country, and one of our key partners in operating in challenging environments, as well as the role of the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies, which will launch the unit and oversee its work, including the establishment phases, capacity building, partnerships, knowledge innovation, and ongoing impact assessment."
In his address, Mr. Al-Khater noted that "humanitarian diplomacy is based on raising awareness, influencing, and mobilizing efforts, with the aim of protecting human dignity, alleviating suffering, and improving the humanitarian operating environment through constructive dialogue with stakeholders." He further highlighted QRCS's pioneering role in humanitarian diplomacy within and beyond the International Movement, citing its field presence in conflict and disaster zones and its accumulated experience in humanitarian dialogue and mobilizing support for the most pressing issues.
Dr. ElKahlout concluded the launch ceremony by stating that this initiative builds upon years of cooperation between the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies and the Qatar Red Crescent Society - a collaboration that has continued for over ten years since the Center's establishment. He commended the significant support provided by the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs and emphasized that it reflects a shared commitment to advancing humanitarian diplomacy and enhancing training in International Humanitarian Law.